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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- dhlcourierservice71@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: DHL NOTIFICATION <"NOTIFICATION."@star.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Dr. John Wilson " <dhlcourierservice71@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2016 03:55:30 +0900 (JST)
Subject: DHL DELIVERY NOTIFICATION!!!
DHL DELIVERY NOTIFICATION!!!
Your ATM card VISA has been registered with UBA BANK PLC this morning for
delivery the total amount of $5,500,000 USD in
accordance with the Organization
of the United Nations ONLINE SCAM COMPENSATION SCHEME 2016
All you have to do now is to give the Corporation your complete information
for the swift and safe delivery of the package for you.
I would also like to inform you that you will take the
responsible of delivery fee of $75usd .
Full name:
Mobile phone number:
Age:
Country:
Occupation:
Current home address:
Nearest airport:
*********************************************
DHL Express ®Courier Company.
Dr. John Wilson {Head Dispatch Officer}
*********************************************
Regards,
Dr. John Wilson
E-mail:dhlcourierservice71@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
